Head West, To England - An Alfie Solomons' Tale

Chapter Nine: Crossing the Line

The year was 1924 and the twins were now two years old. Eliana was watching the boys play in the backyard in the yellow and orange leaves. The boys stumbled around in the leaves laughing and enjoying themselves. She sat on a blanket, reading a book, glancing up occasionally to make sure her sons weren't hurting themselves.

Inside, Alfie's bobe was cooking dinner and the sun was beginning to set. Eliana stood up and called the boys to her. They ran up and grabbed her hands. When she turned she saw two men holding guns on her. She immediately pulled her sons behind her back.

"Who are you?" She asked.

"Don't ask questions. If you follow us nice and quiet, we won't hurt you or your boys."

Eliana gritted her teeth with anger, but complied. She followed the men and they opened a door to an automobile just outside the house. They took her and her boys to a warehouse several miles away from the Solomons household. She held her boys close to her as she was guided into a room with a bench.

"Alright, sit down and keep those whelps quiet." The Englishman said to her.

She glared at him but did as she was told. She held Daniel in her arms and placed Ezekiel next to her on the bench. A half hour had passed when a man entered the room. She glanced up and recognized him.

"I'm sorry Mrs. Solomons, but your husband fucked up and needs to be taught a lesson." Tommy Shelby said.

"So you kidnap his wife and children? You're a coward," she said.

Daniel began to cry and she rocked and cooed him, quieting him down. Ezekiel stayed calm and sucked his thumb, holding onto his mother's arm.

"He caused my boy to go through hell. I don't really think I can let that go so easily."

"You're lying...or not telling me the whole truth. Either way, you know what you're doing is wrong." Eliana said.

Her English had vastly improved in the past two years, though her Russian accent had not faded.

"Do what you must. But if you try to hurt my sons, I will fight you and if I can, I will kill you," she said.

Tommy was impressed. She wasn't afraid and he really believed she would try to kill him.

"My intention is not to hurt you or your sons. You have my word."

Eliana just shook her head. "Did you tell Alfie that? Because he is going to lose his mind and bring hell to you and your men."

"I expect no less from him," Tommy said before turning away from her.

Almost five hours later, it was close to midnight. Eliana took off her jacket and placed it on the floor for the boys to lie down. She sat next to them, singing them an old nursery song in Russian when she heard men shouting.

"Where the fuck is she? Tommy, I will fuckin' gut you!" Alfie was shouting.

"Alright, Alfie. Good and angry?"

"Fuckin' hell Tommy, I thought we sorted this out?! Yeah, I'm angry, you tryin' to teach me a fuckin' lesson are you?"

"Maybe next time, you'll remember this pain. And perhaps it will stop you from doing something as stupid as getting my son involved in our shit."

The twins began to cry from the sounds of the fighting and Eliana brought them close to her.

"No, no. We aren't going to cry, my babies. Let these children, who think they are men, figure out their differences," she told them in Russian.

A man then stepped into the room, pointing a gun at her, motioning her to leave the room. She picked up both boys, put them on her hips and moved forward. Walking out toward Alfie, she kept her head held high. Once she reached him she placed Daniel in Alfie's arms.

"You're late," She said to Alfie. "Mr. Shelby, if you are finished tormenting my family, I would like to go home."

"Eliana, you're not hurt? And the boys?" Alfie said with concern, looking Daniel over then checking Ezekiel.

"Don't worry about me. Your sons, though, are cold and hungry."

Alfie turned and pointed a finger at Tommy. "You mate...you've fuckin'..."

"Crossed the line?" Tommy said, completing Alfie's sentence.

Alfie glared at Tommy, but nodded and turned. He placed a hand behind Eliana's lower back and guided her out of the warehouse to their automobile. As they got into the vehicle Alfie was livid.

"Fuckin' Peaky Blinders bastard! I fired Jacob and Liam by the way. They should be glad I didn't rip their balls off! Where the fuck were they anyways? They were supposed to be watching the bloody house."

Daniel began to whimper, triggering Ezekiel to cry. Then both babies began to cry from their father's tone of voice.

"Hush, Alfie! I told Jacob and Liam to go inside for a break. So, you are going to hire them back on and you are also going to forgive Mr. Shelby. So stop whining this instant!" She snapped.

She pulled Dainel from Alfie's lap and snuggled both boys into her lap, quieting them down.

"Why are you mad at me?" He asked, confused.

"Mr. Solomons, if you haven't figured that part out, I cannot help you!" She said, this time in Russian.

Back at the house, Eliana fed and washed her children, then put them to bed. The twins fell asleep quickly and she closed the door to their room. She walked back down to the kitchen to boil herself some tea. As she fiddled with the tea can she felt Alfie put his strong arms around her.

"Oh, no. You are still in trouble." She said, pushing him with her bottom.

"I'm glad you're safe. I was worried sick, love." He whispered into her ear.

"Well, I shouldn't have told Jacob and Liam to leave...I forget you have enemies."

"You really forget? I mean I'm not exactly a likable chap."

She turned around to face him.

"That isn't true. You are sweet and kind, at least to women." She said, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Yeah, the fairer sex has always held a soft spot in my heart."

"Oh? I've always wondered how many women came before me."

"A few, yeah, not gonna lie to you. But you were the best," He said and kissed her.

She returned the kiss and he picked her up and placed her on the kitchen counter. They continued to kiss and Alfie trailed his hands up her dress, when suddenly they heard a scoff at the doorway. Alfie turned and saw his bobe.

"Bloody hell," He said, and pulled Eliana's dress back down.

"Alfred!" She screeched. "Take your wife to your bedroom. What is God going to think of you?"

"Yes, bobe." He said, and helped Eliana off the counter.

She giggled. It always amused her to see Alfie kowtow to his grandmother.

"Don't you laugh, Eliana. Now, to bed! Both of you!"